Weekend Preview: Stealing Lives

Melissa McCarthy uses a credit card; Jude Law uses a pill. Both are trying to steal their costars' lives, though I'm pretty sure that Identity Thief will be a little funnier than Side Effects. And for the heck of it, why not add into the mix Charlie Sheen's limited release film with an excessively long title from Writer/Director Roman Coppola: A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III. And a last minute addition to the schedule, Top Gun 3D!

This weekend should have a clear winner, much like last weekend, with the crown going to Identity Thief. Even with the good will from Soderbergh's last film, I just don't see Side Effects pulling in a large enough crowd overcome Bateman and McCarthy. Tom Cruise's return to the skies should be the third highest grossing new release for the weekend, even though Cruise's star has faded a little now that we know how crazy he is. Anyway, Top Gun opened in 1986 to around $8 million. The 3D re-release won't have anywhere near that good of an opening weekend, but it could probably reach that amount by the end of its limited run. Lastly, Charles Swan should nab a million or so from the two theaters it is opening in.

Excited about any of this weekend's new releases? Share in the comments below!

Tune in next time for a Valentine's Day showdown between Beautiful Creatures, A Good Day to Die Hard, Safe Haven, and Escape from Planet Earth.

February 2013 Preview!

Here is a quick look at the films I plan to see in February:

Warm Bodies (2/1/13)
After watching the first trailer I went out and bought Isaac Marion's book on which the film is based. I really enjoyed the book and I'm sure I will enjoy the movie too. I love Marion's take on the zombie mythos (i.e. the existence of degrees of "zombie-ness", the retention of some humanity, and the ability to become fully human again once infected.) My only fear is that the film might over-romanticize (a la the-vampire-series-that-must-not-be-named) what has historically been the personification of the most abject aspect of life: the fact that our bodies are already slowly dying and falling apart.

Stand Up Guys (2/1/13)
Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, and Alan Arkin in a buddy crime action comedy. If you don't care for zombies and are lucky enough to live near a theater showing this (since it isn't getting a wide release yet), then this is the obvious choice for you to see this weekend.

Identity Thief (2/8/13)
He's a dinosaur, that Jason Bateman. But he still makes me laugh, and not just when he's being a member of the Bluth family. Add in some raunchy Melissa McCarthy (aka my favorite part of Bridesmaids that I actually liked) and I would call that comedic gold.

Side Effects (2/8/13)
I don't like Channing Tatum. But I do like Rooney Mara, Jude Law, and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Add in the chameleon Steven Soderbergh and a plot about prescription drugs, betrayal, and a possibly illicit affair, and you get one intriguing film. Hopefully also a few Magic Mike-esque glimpses of Rooney.

Beautiful Creatures (2/13/13)
To be honest, I'm including this one because I know that the Misses will be dragging me along to it. It does look like it will be a well made and enjoyable film, if that particular branch of the fantasy genre is your cup of tea. For my money, I would prefer a cup of Earl Grey, hot.

Did I leave off the film you're the most excited about? Leave a comment and let me know! It takes two seconds and would be greatly appreciated! :)